Microfluidic detection of analytes

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and methods for concentrating samples for application to microfluidic devices are disclosed. The methods involve electrophoresing charged molecules from a high volume sample into a smaller volume. The analyte of interest can be a charged molecule or can be modified to be charged using, for example, one or more ionic moieties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/088,636, filed Mar. 28, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,263,022, whichapplication is a 371 National Stage Filing of PCT/US2006/039068, filedOct. 4, 2006, which application claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Nos. 60/723,715, filed Oct. 4, 2005 and 60/820,566, filedJul. 27, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to microfluidics and detection of analytes presentat low concentrations in a sample.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Microfluidic systems have great potential for use in a clinicallaboratory setting. However, these devices are limited by the fact thatthey have capacity for only very small sample volumes, typically on theorder of a few microliters or less. When substances to be analyzed arefound in a sample at a very low concentration, sensitivity can belimited. One way to overcome this limitation is by using an analyteamplification step to increase the analyte concentration either beforeor after introduction of the sample to a microfluidic device. Forexample, very small amounts of nucleic acids can be amplified usingmethods such as PCR. However, not all analytes can be amplified and,even when possible, amplification may require additional reagents andincrease the complexity of analysis. New methods that allow analytesfrom large volume samples to be assayed in a microfluidic format and/orallow analyses without an amplification step would be valuable forclinical and other laboratory assays. The present invention meets thisand many other needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for introducing orapplying an analyte of interest in a sample to a microfluidic device byproviding one or more aqueous samples in one or more large volumereservoirs, the samples containing the analyte and having a volume ofgreater than 10 microliters, and the analyte of interest is charged orassociated with a charged molecule, such as an ionic molecule or acarrier molecule that is charged. The next steps involve providing amicrofluidic device comprising an analysis area, providing one or moreconnectors, wherein the large volume reservoir(s) and microfluidicdevice are fluidically connected via the connector, and electrophoresingthe analyte from the large volume reservoir to the microfluidic deviceand through the analysis area for a time sufficient to result in ahigher concentration of analyte in the analysis area than theconcentration in the large volume reservoir and/or the sample. The largevolume reservoir can be a microwell plate, an eppendorf tube, or a testtube. The large volume reservoir can be a well that is integral with themicrofluidic device. The connector can be a capillary tubing. In oneaspect of the invention, the analyte of interest is a biomolecule, suchas a peptide, a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid or a sugar. The analyteassociated with a charged molecule can be, for example, an analyteattached to an ionic moiety or an analyte attached to an antibody thatis ionically charged.

In a further aspect of the invention, the sample is first admixed withan antibody and the antibody specifically binds to the analyte ofinterest. The antibody can be modified with at least one ionic moiety.Alternatively, the analyte of interest can be modified to be charged,for example, with an antibody or an ionic moiety.

In a further aspect, the analysis area is a capture site and the methodinvolves moving the charged molecule(s) across the capture site, thecapture site includes at least one capture agent and this allows theanalyte of interest to be captured. The movement over the capture areamay be by electrophoresis. The method can further include detecting theanalyte bound by the capture agent. The capture agent can bind theanalyte or ionic moiety. The capture agent may be an antibody or anucleic acid. The detection can involve detecting a label on theantibody, the analyte, or the ionic moiety.

In a further aspect, the method involves providing a staging reservoir,such that the large volume reservoir and the staging reservoir arefluidically connected via the connector.

In one aspect of the invention, the sample has a volume of from about 20μl to 50 mls, preferably from 50 μl to 20 mls. Alternatively, the samplehas a volume of greater than about 20 μl, preferably greater than about50 μl.

In one aspect of the invention, the analyte of interest is attached to amicroparticle before electrophoresis. The microparticle can be amagnetic microparticle. Preferably, the microparticle is coated with atleast one receptor, antibody, or anti-ligand specific for the analyte ofinterest. The method may include the step of removing the analyte fromthe microparticle prior to electrophoresis. The antibody can recognizesthe analyte. A second antibody can be provided and can bind to adifferent site on the analyte. The detection can involve detecting alabel on the second antibody.

In a further aspect, the ionic moiety can be attached at any step beforeelectrophoresis via an indirect attachment. The indirect attachment canbe via an avidin/biotin attachment.

A further aspect is a system for introducing or applying a chargedanalyte in a sample to a microfluidic device having an analysis area,where the system includes at least one large volume reservoir, operablyattached to a first electrode, at least one analysis area, operablyattached to a second electrode, and at least one connector for movingcharged molecules out of the large volume reservoir, where the largevolume reservoir and the analysis area are in fluidic communication. Theat least one connector can be capillary tubing. The microfluidic devicecan include a staging reservoir with a large volume reservoirfluidically connected to the staging reservoir via the connector. Theanalysis area can include a capture site. The system can includemultiple large volume reservoirs fluidically connected to separatestaging reservoirs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for concentrating samples for introductionto a microfluidic device.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate three embodiments for the system for concentratinganalytes.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment in which the analytes accumulate in astaging reservoir.

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment in which the analytes do notaccumulate, but there is a continuous flow over the microfluidic deviceand through the analysis area. FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment inwhich the large volume reservoir is integral with the microfluidicdevice.

FIG. 3 illustrates a microfluidic device capable of detecting multipleanalytes from each of several samples.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention in whichan antibody tagged with an ionic moiety binds to an analyte of interestin a large volume reservoir (LVR) and forms a complex, and the complexis electrophoresed onto a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devicehas a capture agent (a second antibody specific for the analyte ofinterest but recognizing a different epitope) attached thereto.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention in whichmicroparticles to which primary antibodies are bound are used as a solidphase to bind analyte in a large volume reservoir. A second antibody,tagged with an ionic moiety, is added and also binds to the analyte. Theprimary antibodies are cleaved to release the analyte complex from themicroparticles, and the complex is electrophoresed into a stagingreservoir. The complex is captured on the microfluidic device using acapture agent specific for the ionic moiety.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5,in which the analyte of interest is initially bound to microparticles.An ionic moiety is attached to the microparticle-bound antibody using abiotin/avidin type linkage. The antibody is cleaved to release theanalyte from the microparticle and introduced to the microfluidic deviceby electrophoresis. The complex is captured on the microfluidic deviceusing a second antibody specific for the analyte.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary assay format for detection ofviral nucleic acids or proteins in a blood sample. Analytes in multiplesamples are transported (e.g., by electrophoresis) over multipledetection sites in the analysis areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Introduction

Microfluidics is the science of designing, manufacturing, and usingdevices and processes that deal with volumes of fluid on the order ofnanoliters or picoliters. Typically, a microfluidic device has at leastone channel or vessel with a size less than 1 mm in at least onedimension. The device may have at least one channel or vessel with asize less than 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, or 0.1 mm in at least one dimension.Microfluidic devices can additionally have micropumps, valves,temperature regulators, etc.

A number of methods and approaches are known form making microfluidicdevices, including microassembly, bulk micromachining methods, surfacemicro-machining methods, standard lithographic methods, wet etching,reactive ion etching, plasma etching, stereolithography and laserchemical three-dimensional writing methods, soft lithography methods,modular assembly methods, replica molding methods, injection moldingmethods, hot molding methods, laser ablation methods, combinations ofmethods, and other methods known in the art. It will be apparent tothose of skill in the art that a number of these approaches can beadapted for use according to the present invention. For general reviewsof microfluidic devices see, for example, Chovan, et al.“Microfabricated devices in biotechnology and biochemical processing”Trends Biotechnol. 2002 20:116-22; Anthony et al. “DNA array technologyand diagnostic microbiology” Expert Rev. Mol. Diagn. 2001 1:30-8;Windman et al. “Microfluidics for ultrasmall-volume biological analysis”Adv. Chromatogr. 2003, 42:241-67; and Ng et al. “Biochips beyond DNA:technologies and applications” Biotechnol Annu Rev. 2003, 9:1-149;Fiorini and Chiu, 2005, “Disposable microfluidic devices: fabrication,function, and application” Biotechniques 38:429-46; Beebe et al., 2000,“Microfluidic tectonics: a comprehensive construction platform formicrofluidic systems.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:13488-13493;Rossier et al., 2002, “Plasma etched polymer microelectrochemicalsystems” Lab Chip 2:145-150; Becker et al., 2002, “Polymer microfluidicdevices” Talanta 56:267-287; Becker et al., 2000, “Polymermicrofabrication methods for microfluidic analytical applications”Electrophoresis 21:12-26; U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,706 B2, e.g., Section 6.8“Microfabrication of a Silicon Device”; Terry et al., 1979, A GasChromatography Air Analyzer Fabricated on a Silicon Wafer, IEEE Trans,on Electron Devices, v. ED-26, pp. 1880-1886; Berg et al., 1994, MicroTotal Analysis Systems, New York, Kluwer; Webster et al., 1996,Monolithic Capillary Gel Electrophoresis Stage with On-Chip Detector inInternational Conference On Micro Electromechanical Systems, MEMS 96,pp. 491496; Unger et al., 2000, Science 288:113-16; U.S. Pat. No.6,960,437 (Nucleic acid amplification utilizing microfluidic devices);Quake & Scherer, 2000, “From micro to nanofabrication with softmaterials” Science 290:1536-40; Becker et al., 2000, “Polymermicrofabrication methods for microfluidic analytical applications”Electrophoresis 21:12-26. Also described in the art are microelectrodessuited for use in microfluidic devices. Also described in the art aremethods for immobilizing proteins, nucleic acids or other molecules on asurface of the device (e.g., within a microfluidic channel).

Microfluidic devices (sometimes referred to as “chips”) can be used in avariety of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, includinganalysis, preparation and synthesis of chemical compounds and analysisand manipulation of cells, proteins and nucleic acids. The advantages ofminiaturization include greatly reduced consumption of reagents, shorterreaction times, and the potential of very high throughput usingmassively parallel-testing. However, one aspect of this miniaturizationalso becomes a significant obstacle that limits the sensitivity of theseprocedures. Microfluidic chips handle only minute volumes of samplesolutions, and there may be insufficient analyte molecules in the verysmall volume applied to the chip to be readily detected. Thus, anamplification step, such as PCR, is often used to treat the sample foruse with a microfluidic device, either before or after introduction ofthe sample to the device. However, this has the disadvantage ofincreasing the cost and complexity, and allowing possible aberrantresults due to PCR mistakes. Some microfluidic devices are designed toreceive a somewhat larger sample volume by exposing the entire surfaceof the chip to the incoming sample solution. This allows a relativelylarge sample volume to be applied since the whole chip surface is usedto receive the sample, but still limits the volume of the sample thatcan be processed. Moreover, this limits the detection to one sample at atime and requires different sample solutions to be tested sequentially.For testing multiple samples, this is not only time-consuming, but hasthe additional disadvantage of risking sample-to-samplecross-contamination.

The methods and apparatus disclosed herein overcome the limitation oflow volume capacity on microfluidic devices by using electrophoresis toconcentrate and/or control the transport of the analyte material, sothat it can be applied to facilitate reactions or analysis and used in atypical chip format. The analyte is electrophoresed through an aqueousbuffer solution without the use of size exclusion gels, a viscousmedium, filters, biological sieves or the like. The method allowsmultiple samples to be applied to multiple specific areas on the chip.Because each sample is separately electrophoresed to a different part ofthe chip for analysis, separate samples do not come in contact with thesame surface. This has the advantage of reducing cross-contamination.

The invention provides methods and devices for microfluidic analysis ofone or more analytes from a large volume sample. Because the samplevolume capacity of a device is increased by the methods disclosedherein, the minimal detectable concentration (the lowest analyteconcentration the assay can reliably measure) for an assay using thedevice is reduced.

The methods and devices described herein allow the investigator orclinician to extract analyte from a large volume sample, detect andidentify the analyte. The method is suitable for use with a wide varietyof analytes, including specific proteins and polynucleotide sequences.In addition to the ability to analyze multiple samples on a single chipsimultaneously, embodiments of the method allow for concentration of alarge sample onto the chip without continuously flowing the sample intothe concentration reservoir or onto the chip.

FIG. 1 is provided to aid in the understanding of the invention. It willbe appreciated that FIG. 1 is for illustration and is not intended tolimit the invention in any fashion. The system shown in FIG. 1 includesa large volume reservoir (LVR) 100 into which a sample containing ananalyte at low concentration can be introduced, a staging reservoir 300integral to the microfluidic device 600 (sometimes referred to as a“chip”), a connector 200 through which an analyte in the large volumereservoir can be electrophoretically transported to the stagingreservoir, and an analysis area 700 in which an analyte can be detected.Generally, the analysis area is a microfluidic channel through whichanalyte-containing fluid can flow and/or which may contain an aqueousbuffer solution through which analyte can be transported. Alternatively,the analysis area can be a well or chamber comprising immobilizedcapture agents. In some embodiments at least a portion of the housing ormaterial surrounding the analysis area is transparent, to facilitatedetection of signal from the analysis area (e.g., fluorescenceemissions) As with the connector, the aqueous solution through whichanalyte is transported into the analysis area generally does not containexclusion gels, a viscous medium, filters, sieves, etc. for separationof analyte. Electrodes 400 and 500 are positioned so that when electricpotential is applied to the electrodes (i.e., a positive charge isapplied to one electrode and a negative charge is applied to another)charged analyte is transported through solution to the appropriateregion of the device (e.g., staging reservoir). Additional electrodes800 may optionally be positioned to transport analyte into the analysisarea 700. In some embodiments staging reservoir electrodes 500 are notincluded. Electrodes can be integrated into the LVR or staging reservoiror may be external electrodes placed into the reservoir chamber incontact with the sample or other solution. Battery 900 is any powersupply or source of electric current suitable for electrophoresis (forsimplicity, in FIG. 1 only one LVR is shown connected to the battery).

The analysis area typically includes “capture agents” associated withthe substrate in the analysis area of the device. Capture agents(discussed in detail below) are agents that specifically bind to ananalyte, a carrier molecule, an ionic moiety, or other moleculeassociated with the analyte). Examples of capture agents includeantibodies and polynucleotides. Typically the capture agents areimmobilized at a “capture site” in the analysis area (a physical surfaceof the microfluidic device that is capable of being modified by thebinding of at least one capture agent, preferably at least two, and morepreferably an array of capture agent molecules). Alternatively, in otherembodiments, the analysis area does not include a capture agent and thesample is analyzed (detected) as it flows through a detector.

In the operation of the system, a sample solution (e.g., an aqueousliquid that contains, or is suspected of containing the analyte) isintroduced into large volume reservoir 100. The large volume reservoiror reservoirs may be integral to the microfluidic device 600, notintegral but physically attached to the microfluidic device, or notintegral and not attached but placed near the device. For example, thelarge volume reservoir or reservoirs can be one or more separatecontainers, such as any of a variety of containers for holding liquids,including but not limited to: a test tube, a microfuge tube, a well of amicrowell plate, a tissue culture dish, and the like. The liquidcapacity of the large volume reservoir can range from about 10 μl toabout 100 mis, and may be at least 10, at least 25, at least 50, atleast 100, at least 200, at least 500, at least 1000 or at least 5000microliters. The liquid capacity of the LVR is most often a range ofabout 100 ul to about 2 mls. One or more large volume reservoirs can beassociated with a single chip. In some embodiments 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 175, 200, 250 or more largevolume reservoirs are associated with a single device. For example, if amicrotiter plate is used having 100 wells, the number of large volumereservoirs can be 100.

In accordance with the invention, the analyte is electrophoreticallytransported via the connector 200 to the staging reservoir 300.Electrophoresis refers to the movement of charged molecules or particlesin solution in response to an electric field. The mobility of theanalyte is based on (1) a net charge of the analyte molecule itselfand/or (2) a net charge of an ionic moiety associated with the analyte,as described below. A net charge is the combination ionic charge that amolecule has, it can be positive negative or neutral. As noted above,the analyte may be electrophoresed through an aqueous buffer solutionwithout the use of size exclusion gels, a viscous medium, filters,biological sieves or the like. As used herein, the phrase“electrophoresis through an aqueous solution” is used to mean that nosize exclusion medium or filters are used.

The connector 200 through which the analyte travels can have any of avariety of forms and be made of any material compatible with the analyteand which does not interfere with movement of the charged analyte and/orthe electrophoresis. Methods for connecting external sources or tubingto microfluidic devices are known and can be used in the presentinvention to connect. In some embodiments, the connector has multipleregions with different dimensions. To connect between the large volumereservoir and the staging reservoir or the analysis area the connector200 may have sections of decreasing diameter. It can be formed byconnecting straight or tapered tubes or channels of decreasing diametersand of different materials. In some embodiments in which the LVR is notintegral to the chip a portion of the connector may comprise a tubeportion through which the analyte is transported from the large volumereservoir to a channel in the microfluidic device, and a portion of theconnector may comprise a microfluidic channel on the chip (“microfluidicchannel portion of the connector”) with the analyte then beingtransported via the channel to the staging reservoir 300. The channelscan be manufactured to have various shapes and dimensions using, forexample, well developed elastomer molding, photolithography ormicro-machining methods. In some embodiments the connector is entirelyoff-chip. In one embodiment, the large volume reservoir is integral tothe device and connector 200 is a microfluidic channel integral to themicrofluidic device.

For tubing, there are also a wide variety of sizes and materials toselect from. Examples of methods for forming these types of connectorscan be found, for example, in Douglas Smith, Engineering and Science,published by California Institute of Technology, 2003 volume LXVI,Number 2, page 8-18; Skelley A M et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005Jan. 25; 102(4):1041-6; Manz, A. and Becker, H., “Microsystem.Technology in Chemistry and Life Sciences” published by Springer-Verlag,1999. Exemplary tubes include stainless steel tubes, needles, tubingsmade of plastic material such as polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene,Teflon, polyvinylchloride, PEEK™ or PEEKsil™, fused silica or glass.Suitable tubing usually has an inner diameter from several millimetersto microns, including but not limited to about 10 mm, 9 mm, 8 mm, 7 mm,6 mm, 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm, 90 μm, 80 μm, 70 μm,60 μm, 50 μm, 40 μm, 30 μm, 20 μm, 10 μm, 9 μm, 8 μm, 7 μm, 6 μm, 5 μm,4 μm, 3 μm, 2 μm, 1 μm. Often the inner dimensions of a connector are inthe range of 5 mm to 50 μm.

The staging reservoir 300, if present, is integral to the microfluidicdevice and typically has a capacity of from about 0.1 pl to about 2including, but not limited to 1 pl to 1 μl, and 10 pl to 0.5 μl. Thestaging reservoir is in fluidic communication with the analysis area ofthe device, such that an analyte can be transported from the stagingreservoir to the analysis area when appropriate gates or valves areopen. The ratio of the volumes in the large volume reservoir and thestaging reservoir can range considerably, but in some embodiments, theratios are from about 100:1 to 1000:1, including but not limited to,more than 100:1, more than 200:1, more than 300:1, more than 500:1, morethan 800:1, and more than 1000:1.

To generate the electric field necessary for transport of the analytefrom the large volume reservoir to the staging reservoir, electrodes aresituated to generate such a field. Typically electrodes are situatedwithin each of the reservoirs (i.e., the LVR and the staging reservoir).The location of the electrode in the LVR may vary, but is preferablysome distance from the opening of the connector 200, and preferably atthe furthest site or distance from the opening. The electrodes can beattached or positioned in any way that allows an electric field forelectrophoresis to be generated when the current is on and solution ispresent to complete a circuit. For example and not limitation,electrodes can be inserted into the liquid in a reservoir.Alternatively, the electrode can be integral to the chamber ormicrofluidic device (e.g., incorporated into the wall of a reservoir orchamber). Microelectrodes are well known in the art (see, e.g.,International Patent Publication WO04044575A2; Rongsheng et al., 2005,Anal. Chem 77:4338-47; Abad-Villar et al, 2005, Electrophoresis26:3602-3608).

In addition, the polarity of electrodes in the device or system can bechanged (e.g., from a negative to a positive charge) during theoperation of the device. A charged analyte migrates away from anelectrode(s) of like charge towards an electrode(s) of opposite charge.Thus, for example, a negatively charged analyte can be transported byelectrophoresis from a LVR having a positively charged electrode (anode)to a staging reservoir having a negatively charged electrode (cathode).The analyte can then be transported from the staging reservoir to ananalysis area by turning off current to the LVR electrode, changing thepolarity of the staging area electrode to positive, and turning on anelectrode positioned in or beyond the analysis area, such that theanalyte is transported through or across the analysis area. The rate ofmigration depends on the strength of the field, the net charge, the sizeand shape of the molecules and also on the ionic strength, viscosity andtemperature of the medium in which the molecules are moving.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate other embodiments of the system. FIG. 2Aillustrates an embodiment in which the analyte accumulates in a stagingreservoir 300. In this embodiment, the electrode 500 on the microfluidicdevice 600 can switch from positive to negative as needed. For example,when a negatively charged analyte is being concentrated or accumulatingin the staging reservoir 300, the electrode 500 is positively charged.Then in order to electrophorese the analyte to the analysis area 700,the electrode is negatively charged and electrode 800 by the analysisarea is positively charged. FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment in whichthe analytes do not accumulate in a staging reservoir 300, but arecontinuously flowed over the microfluidic device 600 and through or tothe analysis area 700. FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment in which thelarge volume reservoir 100 is integral with the microfluidic device 600,and is connected to the staging reservoir by connector 200.

Reagents used for capture and analysis of the analyte may beprepositioned in channels of the microfluidic device (e.g., captureagents immobilized on the analysis area substrate), may be introducedfrom the large volume reservoir along with the analyte, or may beintroduced on the chip. For example, reagents can be introduced into thestaging reservoir, analysis area, or channels by art known methods atany point appropriate for the assay. Methods for introduction will varywith the specific design of the device. For illustration, reagents maybe introduced into the analysis area via an input channel in fluidiccommunication with the analysis area by opening a valve that separatedthe input channel and analysis area.

II. The Analyte

The analyte (or “analyte of interest”) is a molecule, complex ofmolecules or particle that is measured or detected using the methods anddevices of the invention. As noted above, an analyte has a net chargeand/or can be associated with a charged molecule, so that the analytecan be electrophoretically concentrated as described herein. In oneembodiment the analyte is associated with one or more ionic moieties,which carry a charge. Alternatively, the analyte can be associated witha charged molecule by binding to a charged carrier molecule, such as anantibody, a receptor, a ligand, a substrate, or an antigen. The carriermolecule can be intrinsically charged or can be modified to be chargedby attaching an ionic moiety.

Examples of analytes include, but are not limited to, proteins, proteincomplexes, viruses, nucleic acids, heavy metals, drugs, steroids, andpesticides, and carbohydrates. Preferably, the analytes are biomolecules(a class of molecules that are produced in or by a cell) such asproteins, peptides, polynucleotides (e.g., RNA or DNA), sugars, lipids,glycolipids, glycoproteins, and the like. Particular examples ofanalytes include biomolecules from pathogenic organisms such as virusesor bacteria, biomolecules associated with disease, toxins, drugs, smallmolecules, prions, nucleic acids containing mutations, antibodies, andantigens. Analytes that may be analyzed using the method of theinvention may or may not have a net charge under the conditions (e.g.,pH) of the assay. A polynucleotide is an example of an analyte that isitself charged. An analyte, whether charged or not, can be modified byattachment of at least one ionic moiety, to increase its charge. Forexample, an analyte can be modified by attachment of a carrier moleculethat carries an ionic moiety (for example, an antibody that carries anucleic acid ionic moiety). Examples of ionic moieties are describedbelow.

III. The Sample Solution and Pre-Sample

As used here, the “sample solution” is the analyte-containing aqueousliquid that is present in the large volume reservoir at the start ofelectrophoresis (i.e., the “starting material”). In general, the samplesolution is generated by processing a “pre-sample” that contains theanalyte. Such processing is carried out to, for example, partiallypurify or concentrate the analyte, remove impurities that wouldinterfere with electrophoresis or the assay, and the like. Examples ofspecific processing steps include centrifugation (to remove debris, orto fractionate the presample), precipitation, filtration,chromatography, sonication, or any other process that results in analytefree in solution. In one embodiment, processing includes concentrationof the analyte using beads, such as magnetic beads, treated to bind theanalyte. In addition, reagents may be added to the sample solution toadjust the pH, ionic strength and/or composition of the solution tofacilitate electrophoresis by, for example, adding buffering agents,acids, bases or salts. Addition may entail, for example, diluting theanalyte-containing liquid with an appropriate solution such as water orbuffer (e.g., a buffered salt solution), resuspending the analyte in anappropriate solution, dissolving solids (e.g., salts) in the solution,and the like. In addition, the analyte in the sample solution may bemodified by being associated with one or more ionic moieties, andoptionally one or more carrier molecules.

The source of analyte can be any of a wide variety of materials,including for example, a biological fluid, cell, or tissue,environmental sample (e.g., soil or water) or a synthetic product.Examples of biological pre-samples include, for example, blood, plasma,cerebro-spinal fluid, urine, saliva, cell extracts, tissue extracts,tissue culture extracts, cell extracts, cheek scrapings, and bacterialor viral cultures. Other examples of pre-sample includes lake or riverwater, food processing fluids, manufactured food preparations, fruit andvegetable extracts, and cosmetics. The presample can be a liquid or asolid. If a solid, the presample is dissolved, solubilized or suspendedin a liquid (e.g., aqueous liquid) and insoluble materials may beremoved. Table 1 shows, for illustration and not limitation, exemplarysamples and pre-samples.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Samples and Pre-samples Pre-sample Sample Analyteblood serum* anti-HIV antibody** urine filtered urine* hCG** river waterfiltered water* cholera bacteria antigens** PBMC genomic DNA DNAfragment** *In each case, modified to adjust ionic strength/pH **In eachcase optionally modified to associate with an ionic moiety.IV. Association of the Analyte with an Ionic Moiety

An ionic moiety is a molecular structure that carries a charge. Theionic moiety can be anionic (e.g., polyanionic) or cationic (e.g.,polycationic). It will be appreciated that the net charge of a chargedmolecule will depend in part on the environment, particularly the pH andsalt composition of the sample solution. However, preferably the ionicmoiety has a net charge of at least +5 or at least −5. Although theionic moiety may have a low or medium charge density, preferably theionic moiety has a high charge density. Charge density is the amount ofcharge/per unit volume of a solution, material, etc due to the presenceof charged entities within the material. A material having a high chargedensity has more charge per unit volume, and is more likely to attractentities having an opposite charge, and repel entities having the samecharge. Typically having a higher charger density will likely result infaster migration times of a charged entities during electrophoresis.

Examples of ionic moieties include, for illustration and not forlimitation, nucleic acids and their natural and synthetic analogs (e.g.,RNA, DNA, PNA), poly-amines such as poly-lysine, poly-glutamate,poly-aspartate, sulfated glycans and chemically modified proteins suchas succinylated bovine serum albumin. Other ionic moieties includepolyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyethylacrylic acid,polypropylacrylic acid, polybutylacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, dextransulfate, heparin, hyaluronic acid, polysulfates, polysulfonates,polyvinyl phosphoric acid, polyvinyl phosphoric acid, copolymers ofpolymaleic acid, polyhydroxybutyric acid and mixed polymers.

V. Association of the Analyte with an Ionic Moiety

Prior to electrophoresis, the analyte can be modified to be associatedwith an ionic moiety. The combination of the analyte and ionic moietytypically has a net charge greater than that of the analyte alone. Theanalyte can be modified directly with the ionic moiety or indirectlyusing a carrier molecule that carries an ionic moiety. Carrier moleculesinclude analyte-binding antibodies, polynucleotides and other molecules,as discussed below.

A. Direct Association of an Ionic Moiety and Analyte

In some cases, an ionic moiety is associated directly, either covalentlyor noncovalently, with the analyte. For example, a nucleic acid ionicmoiety may be noncovalently associated with a nucleic acid analyte basedon sequence complementarity (partial or complete). The analyte can alsobe covalently modified to increase its ionic charge either chemically orenzymatically. Examples of chemical modifications include convertingamino groups in a protein to carboxyl groups to increase the netnegative charge of the protein using reagents such as anhydrides (e.g.,succinic anhydride or tetrahydrylphthalic anhydride). Other groups in aprotein such as thiol or histidyl groups can also be converted tonegatively charged groups such as carboxyl groups using reagents such asiodoacetate. In addition, these functional groups can be converted to anumber of other active groups to facilitate the association of ionicmoieties. These and other modification reagents and modificaiton methodsare known in the art (see, e.g., “Chemical Modification of Proteins” byGary E. Means and Robert E. Feeney; “Bioconjugate Techniques” by Greg T.Hermanson; and “Chemical Reagents for Protein Modification” by Roger L.Lundblad).

Certain ionic moieties, such as nucleic acids, poly-lysine,poly-arginine, poly-glutamate, poly-aspartate and sulfated glycans, havefunctional groups (such as amino or carboxyl groups) that can facilitatecovalent association with the analyte. Moreover, ionic moieties can bederivitized by design to have desirable functional groups forconjugation with the analytes.

In addition, a number of commercially available cross-linking agents areknown which can be used to attach carrier molecules and ionic moieties(e.g., homo-bifunctional reagents that will cross-link amino-to-amino orsulthydryl-to-sulfhydryl groups; hetero-bifunctional reagents that willcross-link the amino-to-sulfhydryl groups, and the like). These andother cross-linking methods are well known to practitioners in the fieldand selection can be based on the specific requirements of the assay.

B. Association of an Ionic Moiety and Analyte Indirectly Via a CarrierMolecule or Carrier Complex

An analyte also can be associated with an ionic moiety indirectly, via acarrier molecule or carrier complex. A carrier molecule is a moleculethat specifically binds the analyte. Thus, the analyte and carriermolecule together constitute a “specific binding pair” or carriercomplex. In this embodiment, the ionic moiety is linked or conjugated tothe carrier molecule instead of, or in addition to, the analyte.Examples of binding pairs include but are not limited to,antibody-antigen pairs, receptor-ligand pairs, and otherligand:anti-ligand complexes. Typically the carrier molecule is anantibody that specifically binds the analyte.

TABLE 2 Exemplary Specific Binding Pairs Analyte Carrier Moleculeantigen (e.g., protein) antibody antibody antigen polynucleotide strandcomplementary polynucleotide strand ligand (e.g., hormone) receptor(e.g., hormone receptor) immunoglobulin Protein A enzyme enzyme cofactoror substrate carbohydrate lectin

The carrier molecule can be associated with an ionic moiety using any ofa variety of methods for associating molecules some of which arediscussed above. The selected methods will depend in part on the natureof the analyte, ionic moiety and carrier molecule. For example, one ormore ionic moieties can be attached to carrier molecules using standardchemistry. For example, ionic moieties such as nucleic acids,poly-lysine, poly-arginine, poly-glutamate, poly-aspartate and sulfatedglycans have functional groups (such as amino or carboxyl) thatfacilitate cross-linking to antibodies or other carrier molecules, orcan be derivitized to carry such functional groups. Some potentialcarrier molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins have functionalgroups (such as amino [e.g., lysine, arginine], carboxyl [e.g., asparticacid, glutamic acid] or sulfhydryl [e.g., cysteine]) that facilitatecross-linking to ionic moieties, or can be derivitized to carry suchfunctional groups. The carrier molecules can be associated with theionic moiety or moieties using various bi-functional linkers. Carriermolecules can be chemically modified to have specific functional groupsfor cross linking. For example, the sulfated glycans can be oxidized tohave aldehyde functional groups, which can be used to react with aminogroups. Oligonucleotides are synthesized with a sulfhydryl or a primaryamino group on one end. With the amino or sulfhydryl functional groups,the oligonucleotide can be cross-linked to the amino or sulfhydrylgroups on the antibody molecules using available cross-linking reagents.

The ionic moiety can also be associated with the carrier molecule (andthus the analyte) indirectly, via one or more intermediate molecule. Forexample, if the analyte is an antigen, “AntigenA,” it can be indirectlyassociated with an ionic moiety by, for example, binding AntigenA by ananti-AntigenA monoclonal antibody (AAA-mAb) (“carrier molecule”) andbinding the AAA-mAb with an ionically-labeled second antibody(anti-AAA-mAb). It will be recognized that this type of second-antibodytype labeling is routine in immunoassays. The complex of moleculescomprising the analyte and ionic moiety (in this example,AntigenA+AAA-mAb+anti-AAA-mAb-ionic moiety) can be referred to as a“carrier complex.” Although antibody-antigen associations are describedin this example, the method is not limited to antibodies. Any specificbinding pair in which one of the partners is the analyte may be used.

A carrier molecule and ionic moiety also can be associated via aspecific binding pair where one or both members of the specific bindingpair is conjugated to a tag. For example, a carrier molecule can bebiotinylated and labeled using an ionic moiety conjugated to avidin. Thetag is either avidin or biotin and allows binding of the ionic moietyvia the tag at any step in the process. In another embodiment, anantibody carrier molecule is associated with an ionic moiety (nucleicacid) as follows: A charged avidin molecule is prepared by adding 1, 2,or 3 biotinylated oligonucleotides to its four sites biotin bindingsites, leaving at least one remaining biotin site unoccupied. Abiotinylated carrier molecule (e.g., anti-analyte antibody) is bound tothe avidin-biotin-oligonucleotide complex. Other examples of tagsinclude without limitation poly-histidine tag, Glutathione tag, digoxin,and fluorescein. Antibodies with specific affinity for the tags areavailable for purchase or can be produced as needed.

Any of the methods described above in the context of ionically labelinga carrier molecule, can be used to ionically label a protein, nucleicacid, or other component of the carrier complex.

A molecule that is bound directly (e.g., covalently) to an ionic moietycan be referred to as “ionically labeled.” The complex of the analyte,associated ionic moiety(s), carrier molecule(s), if present, and anyother molecules used to associate the ionic moiety(s) and analyte can bereferred to as the “Analyte-Ionic Moiety (IM) complex.”

It will be appreciated that the association of the analyte and ionicmoieties is sufficiently stable under the conditions of concentrativeelectrophoresis and, optionally, subsequent concentration analyticalsteps that the two remain associated as the assay is conducted.

VI. Association of an Ionic Moiety with an Immobilized Analyte

In one aspect the invention provides a method of the invention thatmakes use, in part, of the concentrative electrophoresis technologydescribed above. According to the method, the analyte is:

-   -   a) bound to a solid or immobilized phase    -   b) associated with an ionic moiety    -   c) released from the solid or immobilized phase    -   d) electrophoresed to the microfluidic device    -   e) bound or detected in an analysis area using a capture agent        that specifically recognizes        -   i) the analyte or        -   ii) the ionic moiety.            Steps (a) and (b) can take place in either order and            Steps (b) and (c) can take place in either order,            provided (c) occurs after (a). For example, the order can be            a→b→c; b→a→c; or a→c→b. Steps (a)-(c) are described below,            for illustration and not for limitation. Particular            embodiments of this method are shown in FIG. 5, and are            discussed in the corresponding text. This method includes            two independent specific analyte concentration steps and            provides a highly sensitive assay method.

a. Analyte is Bound to a Solid or Immobilized Phase

The analyte may be bound to a solid or immobilized phase (usedinterchangeably herein) in any conventional way, by treating the samplesolution with a specific binding partner (SBP) of the analyteimmobilized on a solid phase. The solid phase may be, for illustrationand not limitation, a surface of the large volume reservoir, a surfaceof a microtiter plate well, or a surface of a microparticle. In apreferred embodiment, microparticles are used. In one embodiment,magnetic microparticles are used.

Microparticles useful for purification are well known in the art.Microparticles are generally spherical particles typically having adiameter of from about 0.05 μm to about 1000 μm, on which a SBP (e.g.,antibody, polynucleotide) can be bound or coated. Microparticles can bemanufactured using materials such as glass, zirconium silicate, silica,gold, polystyrene, latex, and PMMA, and may have physicalcharacteristics such as being magnetic or magnitizable, dyed,biodegradable and fluorescent. Microparticles can be coated with abinding agent, or can include reactive groups (e.g., amino, carboxyl,cyanuric) that allow covalent attachment with a binding partner (e.g.,antibody, polynucleotide, avidin). In addition, microparticles can bepurchased with bound SBPs (e.g., microparticles coated withstreptavidin, antibodies to human IgG and IgM, and anti-biotinantibodies from e.g., Indicia Biotechnology (Oullins France)];microparticles with binding groups: avidin, streptavidin, protein A,albumin, biotin, PEG, and collagen from, e.g., Kisker Biotechnology(Steinfurt Germany). Other solid phases, such as microtiter plates canalso be purchased with, or derivitized to have, covalently bound bindingpartners (e.g., microtiter plates with bound streptavidin or anti-IgGantibodies from BD Biosciences (Bedford Md.)).

The analyte can be bound to the immobilized binding agent by contactingthe solution containing the analyte with the immobilized SBP underconditions in which the analyte is bound to the SBP. For example,microparticles can be added to a presample solution. After attachment ofthe analyte to the microparticles an analyte-enriched fraction can beprepared by segregating the microparticles using centrifugation,magnetic separation, or filtration, with appropriate washing steps.Removal of unbound contaminants using other solid phases (e.g.,microplate wells) can be accomplished by removing the unboundsupernatant, and other well known methods.

b. Analyte is Associated with an Ionic Moiety

The analyte can be associated with an ionic moiety using any suitablemethod, such as those described in previous sections. As indicatedabove, the analyte can be associated with the ionic moiety before orafter binding to the immobilized phase, and can be associated via thebinding agent or directly. Thus, binding agents as used herein bind theanalyte to an immobilized phase such as a microparticle or substrate.The ionic moiety can be associated with the solid phase first. In thiscase, the association of the ionic moiety and the analyte is facilitatedby binding to the solid phase.

c. Analyte is Released from the Solid or Immobilized Phase

The bound analytes can be released from the microparticles (or othersolid phase) using various strategies. For example, an analyte can bedisplaced using specific agents to compete with the analyte for bindingto the immobilized SBP. Alternatively, the analyte can be eluted withnon-specific reagents such as denaturing agents (e.g., urea), extremepH, temperature, high ionic strength buffers, and the like to disruptthe binding. This can be done using changes in buffer, changes in theelectric field, pH, addition of an elution buffer, or any method knownin the art.

Alternatively, the binding agents having the analyte bound thereto canbe freed as a complex by incorporating a cleavable or breakable bond inthe linkage between the binding agents and the solid phase (such as themicroparticle or substrate). In addition capture agents which are usedto capture the analyte during analysis on the microfluidic chip canincorporate a cleavable or breakable linkage between the capturingagents and the capture surface on the microfluidic chip. While thebinding agents and capture agents can be the same types of molecules,their roles are different. The capture agent is used when the analyte iscaptured during analysis (i.e., immobilized in the analysis area). Ineither case, the bonds include disulfide bridges, diols, restrictionenzyme sequences, and bonds that can be dissociated by chemicals orenzymes. For example, the binding agent can be cleaved using proteasesor nucleases (e.g., sequence-specific proteases or nucleases). If alinker containing a disulfide bridge is used to anchor the antibodies onthe solid phase, the binding complex can be released by using reducingagents such as mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol. A nucleic acid bindingmolecule can be cleaved with nucleases.

The following examples are provided for illustration and are notintended to limit the invention.

1. Nucleic Acid Analyte

In one embodiment, the analyte is a nucleic acid. Nucleic acid analytesare themselves poly-ionic, so, while there may be circumstances in whichattachment of an additional ionic moiety might be advantageous, it maynot be necessary to attach an ionic moiety to mobilize these moleculeswith electrical field. However, it may be advantageous to initiallyconcentrate the analytes and/or remove contaminants beforeelectrophoresis. This can be done, for example, using nucleic acidbinding agents with complementary sequences conjugated to magneticmicroparticles. The magnetic microparticles can be added to a samplecontaining the nucleic acid analyte in the large volume reservoir. Afteranalyte molecules are bound to the microparticles, a magnetic field isapplied to gather the microparticles at a specific spot in the largevolume reservoir. Contaminants and interfering substances are thenremoved. Denaturation conditions such as low ionic strength, urea,betaine, high pH or temperature, or a combination of these factors, areused to disrupt the hybridization thereby separating the nucleic acidstrands and freeing the bound analytes from the microparticles.Electrophoresis drives the analyte nucleic acids into the secondreservoir. Once concentrated in the second reservoir, the nucleic acidanalytes are electrophoresed on the microfluidic device to specificcapture sites having capture agents that are complementary to the 5′ endof the nucleic acid analytes. The nucleic acid analytes bind and can bedetected using a labeled nucleic acid detection agent that iscomplementary to the 3′ end of the nucleic acid analytes.

2. Antigen Analyte

In another example, analytes that can act as antigens can be associatedwith a solid substrate using antibodies as binding agents. Antibodieswith affinity to, for example, a protein analyte are conjugated tomicroparticles. The microparticles are gathered such as by magneticmeans (if they are magnetic microparticles) or centrifugal field to aspecific spot in the large volume reservoir and the supernatantcontaining any unbound molecules, contaminants or interfering substancesis removed. The protein analytes are freed from the microparticle as acomplex. This can be achieved by using cleavable linkers (e.g. asdescribed herein). Appropriate proteases can also be used with optimizedreaction conditions to achieve the desired release without undesirabledegradation of the analyte. In addition, it is conceivable to engineerspecific proteolytic sites in the anchoring components, either thelinker or the antibody, for proteases with stringent cleavage siterequirements. These proteases can then be used to cleave the bindingcomplex. In one embodiment, an analyte in a blood sample is detectedaccording to the methods of the invention using a preconcentration stepin which magnetic microparticles coated with binding agents withaffinity to the analyte are added to the blood sample in a large volumereservoir.

VII. Concentrative Electrophoresis of the Analyte

Some or all of the steps of associating the analyte with an ionic moiety(as well as prior sample processing steps) can be carried out in thelarge volume reservoir. Alternatively, some or all of the steps can becarried out in one or more different vessels and the analyte (and anyassociated molecules) can be transferred to the large volume reservoir(e.g., by pipetting). As a result, the Analyte-IM Complex will belocated in the large volume reservoir.

The large volume reservoir liquid capacity can vary widely. Typicalvolumes are from about 1 microliter to about 100 mililiters. Preferably,the LVR capacity (and sample volume) is larger than about 5 microliters,even more preferably, larger than about 10 microliters, such as largerthan 50 microliters, larger than 100 microliters, and larger than 1mililiter. In some embodiments, the LVR capacity or sample volume, isbetween about 1 microliter and 20 milliliters. (It will be appreciatedthat the sample volume will be less than the LVR capacity, though willusually be at least 25%, more often at least 50%, and often at leat 75%of the LVR volume.) In some embodiments, the sample has a volume ofabout 10 microliters to about 100 milliliters, more often 25 microlitersto 5 mis, even more often 50 microliters to 5 mis or 100 microliters to25 mls The LVR capacity may be about 50 microliters, 100 μl, 200 μl, 300μl, 500 μl, 800 μl, 1 milliliter, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml, 5 ml, 6 ml, 10 ml,20 ml, 30 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 60 ml, 70 ml, 80 ml, and 90 ml. In general,a volume that can reasonably be expected to be concentratable byelectrophoresis in a reasonable amount of time can be used. This may bedetermined by the amount of time it takes a charged analyte to move thelongest distance in the sample volume.

Electrophoretic transfer of the charged analyte or the Analyte-IMComplex is accomplished by generating an electric field that extendsfrom the large volume reservoir via the connector to the microfluidicdevice (e.g., a staging reservoir or analysis area). An exemplaryarrangement for the system is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The device shownin FIGS. 1 and 3 shows a multiplicity of connectors to connect multiplesamples from a multiplicity of large volume reservoirs to themicrofluidic device and/or a multiplicity of staging reservoirs.

At least one electrode is placed into, or is integrated into, each largevolume reservoir and at least one electrode is placed onto, orintegrated into, the microfluidic device. The electric field is appliedat a strength such that the analyte will be driven from the large volumereservoirs to the microfluidic device at a selected rate. The positionof the electrodes and the electric field applied in the reservoir can bedetermined to facilitate the best performance for the microfluidicdevice, for instance to achieve sensitive detection in short time. As anexample, the electrodes in the large volume reservoirs can be placed ata point that offers most symmetry and distance in relation to theopening of the connectors which leads to the microfluidic device. Thiselectrode placement is likely to offer a relatively uniform electricfield to drive all analytes in the reservoir. The placement of the oneor more electrodes in the microfluidic device will depend on theintended operation of the device. The electrode(s) can be placed closeto the staging reservoirs if staging reservoirs are desired. It can beplaced close to the analysis area if it is desired to drive the analytesto the analysis area directly without using staging reservoirs.Electrodes can also be placed in both places such that electric fieldscan be applied to drive the analytes sequentially, to the stagingreservoirs first then to the analysis area.

The use of a staging reservoir in the microfluidic device allowssynchronization and better control the movements of the analytes to theanalysis area. The staging reservoir is integral with the chip. Thestaging reservoir is constructed so as to be in fluidic communicationwith the analysis area (when any valves in the device interrupting fluidflow are open). The volume of the staging reservoir is smaller than thevolume of the large volume reservoir, and is typically less than about 1microliter, including but not limited to, from about 0.1 pl to about 2μl, 1 μl to 1 and 10 pl to 0.5 μl, preferably less than 1 microliter,sometimes less than 0.1 microliters, and sometimes less than 1picoliter.

The connectors shown may be capillary tubes. To facilitateelectrophoresis, a connector is filled with conductive media such as alow salt buffer so that an electrical field can be established. When theelectric field is applied, the charged analyte (or complex) istransported and driven into the microfluidic device either directlythrough the analysis area or to a staging reservoir on the microfluidicdevice to concentrate the analyte before further analysis. Theelectrical potential of the electrode associated with the large volumereservoir and staging reservoir are selected to achieve the desired rateof transport for the analyte.

The duration of electrophoresis depends on factors such as theconcentration and amount of the analyte of interest in the sample, theelectrophoretic conditions (current, voltage ionic strength of buffers,etc.), the volume of the initial sample, the charge of the analyte, thesensitivity of the method of detection, and the buffer that is used.Electrophoresis is carried out for a time sufficient to transport anamount of the analyte of interest. When sufficient analyte istransferred, electrophoresis can be discontinued, and if desired, thelarge volume reservoir and connector can be removed.

In one embodiment, the electrophoresis is carried out until theconcentration of analyte in the staging reservoir is at least 2-timesthe concentration in the large volume reservoir. Sometimes thedifference in concentration is at least 3-times, and sometimes at least5-times, 10-times, 25-times, or 100-times or greater.

More than one large volume reservoir and more than one staging reservoirmay be connected to achieve the best configuration for the assay inorder to transport the analyte with ease and efficiency. With very largesamples, it can be more efficient to use multiple large volumereservoirs in series. In this embodiment LVRs of decreasing volume areconnected by connectors in sequence, with electodes configures so thatan analyte is transported serially from one LVR to the next andultimately to the chip. This allows for voltages to be applied in such away that analytes can be transferred with speed and minimizing thevoltage required to transport analytes into the microfluidic chip. Asmaller voltage is advantageous because it reduces any problems withelectrolysis, heating and/or gassing in the microfluidic device.

In some embodiments the analyte is transported from a staging reservoirsto one or more intermediate reservoirs prior to transport to theanalysis area. This allows multiple assays (e.g., assays carried out indifferent solutions or with incompatible reagents) to be easily carriedout. For example, the contents of a staging reservoir can be divided andone portion used for nucleic acid detection and the other for proteindetection. Using intermediate reservoirs may also allow use of a largervolume of sample.

VIII. Transport of Analyte, Charged Analyte, or Analyte-IM Complex tothe Analysis Area

For detection and analysis of the analyte, the analyte (which may beassociated with an ionic moiety and/or part of an analyte complex) istransported from the large volume reservoir or staging reservoir to theanalysis area of the device. In preferred embodiments the analysis areacomprises multiple capture agents (which may be the same or different,and which may or may not be arranged in an ordered array) that bind theanalyte or analyte-IM complex (and may bind the carrier molecule, ionicmoiety, or other component of the complex).

Once the analyte and/or the complex comprising the analyte has beenelectrophoresed from the LVR to the microfluidic chip, theanalyte/complex can be transported to the capture site using any meansknown in the art, for example micropumps, capillary action, and/orelectrophoresis. In a preferred embodiment, electrophoresis is used. Itwill be appreciated that electrophoresis out of the staging reservoiracross the array will require that an electric field formed between theelectrode in the staging reservoir and the electrode in or near theanalysis area. Alternatively, if no staging reservoir is used, theelectric field is formed between the electrode in the LVR and theelectrode in or near the analysis area.

IX. Analysis Area and Detection of Analyte

Analyte can be detected, quantified or analyzed in the analysis area ofthe chip. In one embodiment, the analysis is done without immobilizingthe analyte in the analysis area (e.g., using light scattering, flowcytometry, or fluorescent detection or other detection methods carriedout in solution). For example, the analytes can be labeled withfluorophores and analyzed in the analysis area with apparatus commonlyuse in flow cytometers to analyze fluorescent entities by exciting thefluorophores with laser of appropriate wavelength and measure theemitted fluorescent light. It will be appreciated that, consistent withthe design of most microfluidic devices, the analysis area is usually achannel or chamber of the chip.

Alternatively, detection involves binding of the analyte by animmobilized capture agent in the analysis area. A capture agent is amolecule that can capture an analyte or analyte complex by specificallybinding the analyte or a member of the complex. Members of the complexthat can be bound by the capture agent include the analyte, the carriermolecule, the carrier molecule/analyte complex, an ionic moiety, asecond antibody (if used) and a label. Thus, the capture agent can be,for example, one or more antibodies, nucleic acids, receptors, and/orligands.

The capture agent can be immobilized to the microfluidic device at acapture site using any methods known in the art. For example, one ormore antibody capture agents can be attached via the Fc portion of theantibody. The capture agent can be attached to the capture site bycovalent or non-covalent attachment, but, preferably, the attachment isstrong enough that the movement of liquid over the capture site will notdetach the capture agents. The various reagents and reaction conditionsused are known in the art (see, e.g., “Chemical Modification ofProteins” by Gary E. Means and Robert E. Feeney, “BioconjugateTechniques” by Greg T. Hermanson and “Chemical Reagents for ProteinModification” by Roger L. Lundblad). Exemplary methods of attachment ofcapture agents to capture sites on solid phase substrates can be foundfor example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,629,213, 5,688,642, 5,585,275, andInternational Patent Application WO9745730.

Once attached at the capture site, the capture agents can capture theanalyte or a member of the analyte complex as it is moved over thecapture site. The capture agent and analyte or analyte complex typicallybind by a noncovalent interaction, but covalent binding may be used. Fornucleic acid analytes or nucleic acid ionic moieties, capture agents canbe, for example, complementary nucleic acids. For protein analytes,capture agents can include antibodies, ligands, lectins and receptorsspecific for the protein analyte. Carbohydrate and lipid analytes can becaptured using antibody capture agents. Antibody carrier molecules canbe captured using antibodies, antigens or other molecules thatspecifically bind antibodies. For example, if the carrier molecule is ahuman antibody, the capture agent can be a goat anti-human antibody.

The conditions for capture can be manipulated to allow specific captureof a targeted member of the analyte complex. Conditions such as thebuffer, the rate of movement over the capture site, the temperature andthe capture time can be chosen to allow binding of only a specificanalyte or to also bind to variants such as nucleic acids with singlebase changes or variant proteins. Alternatively, the capture agent canbe chosen to bind only a specific analyte or to variants.

The capture agents can be directed to a specific location or capturesite on a microfluidic device by any method known to one of skill in theart. For example, the capture agents can be directed and associated to aspecific capture site using pumping devices, or photolithography andphotoreactive reagents.

Often analyte is detected based on a signal from a detectable label. Alabel refers to an atom (e.g., radionuclide), molecule (e.g.,fluorescein), or complex, that is or can be used to detect (e.g., due toa physical or chemical property), indicate the presence of a molecule orto enable binding of another molecule to which it is covalently bound orotherwise associated. The term “label” also refers to covalently boundor otherwise associated molecules (e.g., a biomolecule such as anenzyme) that act on a substrate to produce a detectable physical signal,molecule or complex. Detectable labels suitable for use in the presentinvention include any composition detectable by spectroscopic,photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical,chemical or physical means and the like. A detectable lablel, when used,can be added to any component of the final complex which may be bound tothe capture agent. For example, the label can be bound to a carriermolecule, an analyte, an ionic moiety, or a binding agent. Detectors(e.g., flurosecnce readers, spectrophotometers, etc.) for use in amicrofluidic environment are well known in the art.

It will be appreciated that multiple analytes can be detected in thesame sample. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, specifiedregions of the analysis area can be associated with capture moietiesspecific for particular analytes.

X. Specificity of the Assay

The specificity of the assay can be provided at any one or more of thesteps in the methods described herein. For example, one or more stepscan involve binding to general classes of molecules and one or moresteps can require specific binding to only the analyte of interest. Whenspecificity is desired, a specific ionically-modified antibody can beused, a specific carrier molecule can be used, a specific binding agentcan be used, a specific detection molecule can be used, and/or aspecific capture agent can be used on the microfluidic device. Thus, forexample, initially the analyte in the sample can be concentrated usingmicroparticles coated with specific binding molecules. Alternatively,the microparticles can be coated with binding molecules that bind ageneral class of molecules that includes the analyte. Classes of generalmolecules includes: phosphorylated proteins, glycoproteins, nucleicacids, antibodies, lipids, sugars, shared receptor domains, sharedmotifs, conservative nucleic acid or amino acid motifs, shared carriers,and shared epitopes.

XI. Antibodies Used in the Assay

It will be appreciated by the reader that antibodies may play severalroles in the method of the invention. For example, an antibody can alsobe the analyte, as described in the Example below. The term “antibody”is refers to immunoglobulins comprising two heavy and two light chains,and antigen binding fragments thereof (including Fab, Fab′ F(ab′)2,Fabc, and Fv). Fragments may be produced by recombinant DNA techniques,or by enzymatic or chemical separation of intact immunoglobulins. Theterm “antibody” also includes one or more immunoglobulin chains orfragments that are chemically conjugated to, or expressed as, fusionproteins with other proteins, single chain antibodies, and bispecificantibodies. See, e.g., Harlow & Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual,Cold Spring Harbor Press, New York (1988); Current Protocols inImmunology (J. E. Coligan et al., eds., 1999, including supplementsthrough 2005); Songsivilai & Lachmann, Clin. Exp. Immunol. 79:315-321(1990); Kostelny et al., J. Immunol. 148, 1547-1553 (1992). Antibodiescan be monoclonal or polyclonal. However, in some embodiments,monoclonal antibodies are used to ensure binding to a specific epitopeon the protein.

In some embodiments, two or more antibodies are bound to the analyte (orother analyte-IM complex component) concurrently at some point in theassay. Under such conditions, the antibodies either bind differentepitopes on the analyte, a second antibody binds to a first antibody, ora second antibody binds to the antibody/analyte complex. In otherembodiments, a first antibody can be removed prior to addition of asecond antibody.

Depending on the function they serve, antibodies can beionically-labeled and/or be modified to include a detectable label forsubsequent detection. As used herein, a “detectable label” has theordinary meaning in the art and refers to an atom (e.g., radionuclide),molecule (e.g., fluorescein), or complex, that is or can be used todetect (e.g., due to a physical or chemical property), indicate thepresence of a molecule or to enable binding of another molecule to whichit is covalently bound or otherwise associated. The term “label” alsorefers to covalently bound or otherwise associated molecules (e.g., abiomolecule such as an enzyme) that act on a substrate to produce adetectable atom, molecule or complex. Detectable labels suitable for usein the present invention include any composition detectable byspectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, electrical,optical, chemical or physical means and the like.

XII. Apparatus and System

The invention provides an apparatus and system for carrying out themethods described herein. In one embodiment the microfluidic device hasa staging reservoir in fluidic communication with an analysis area thatcomprises capture agents that bind the (i) the analyte, (ii) an antibodyor (iii) a nucleic acid (i.e., carrier molecules or elements of theanalyte-IM complex). As noted above, the analysis area is typically aregion of a microfluidic channel and the capture agents are immobilizedon at least on surface of the channel. The sample reservoir has a fluidcapacity as described above (e.g., 0.1 pl to about 2 μl). The devicefurther comprised a first microelectrode associated with the stagingreservoir and a second microelectrode associarted with the analysisarea. The electrodes are positioned such that application of positivecharge to one electrode and a negative charge to the other electroderesults in an electric field sufficient for electrophoresis of a chargedmolecule from the staging reservoir to the analysis area. Thus, oneelectrode may be situated in the staging reservoir and the second issituated in the analysis area distal to (relative to the stagingreservoir) the immobilized capture agents.

In one embodiment, the device comprises multiple units of stagingreservoir and analysis area, as described above. Each combination ofstaging reservoir and analysis area can be referred to as an“operational unit.”

In one embodiment, at least one analysis area of the device comprisescapture agents that bind molecules from more than one pathogenicorganism. In an embodiment, at least one, and optionally all of thepathogenic organisms, are viruses. In an embodiment, at least one, andoptionally all of the pathogenic organisms, are bacteria. In oneembodiment, molecules from pathogenic organisms are nucleic acids,proteins, or toxins.

In a related embodiment the invention provides a system that comprises amicrofluidic device of the invention and further comprises a largevolume reservoir and/or connector and/or source of electric currentand/or a computer-implemented control system can be used to activate orswitch polarity of the electrodes (400, 500) as needed forconcentration, transport and/or analysis. The system useselectrophoresis to concentrate a charged analyte and to introduce orapply the sample to a microfluidic device. Electrophoresis is used tomove and concentrate a charged analyte from a large volume reservoirinto a staging reservoir on or in a microfluidic device. A generalarrangement for the system or apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.The system generally includes a microfluidic device 600, at least onelarge volume reservoir 100, at least one staging reservoir 300, aconnector 200, and at least two electrodes 400 and 500 (or 800) forelectrophoresis. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device alsoincludes an effluent well for collection of any effluent left over fromthe sample analysis (e.g., see FIG. 3).

Multiple connectors 200 between large volume reservoirs 100 and stagingreservoirs 300 are shown in FIG. 1 using capillary tubing. Thecapillaries 200 are filled with fluid, such as low salt buffers thatserve the purpose of connecting the electrodes (400 and 500) to form anelectrical field. This allows a charged analyte to be electrophoresedfrom a large volume reservoir 100 to a staging reservoir 300 (see FIG.3).

The electrodes 400 and 500 can be connected to the reservoirs (100, 300)and/or microfluidic device 600 using any means known in the art toproduce an appropriate electric field. It is understood that thematerials, samples, buffers, and manufacture of all of the componentsare provided to be compatible for the electrophoresis of materials. Theelectrodes (400, 500) are operably attached to the reservoirs (100,300). Operably attached means that the electrode is positioned in ornear the reservoir so that application of a voltage or potentialgenerates an electric field through which charged molecules aretransported. In one embodiment, the electrode is embedded in thematerial of the reservoir or device (e.g., contained in the substrate).Further, when more than two electrodes (400, 500) are present, acomputer-implemented control system can be used to switch polarity ofthe electrodes (400, 500) as needed for concentration, transport and/oranalysis. The control system can be configured to be responsive to adetector that measures the presence and/or position of analyte in theanalysis area.

In one embodiment, the system comprises a multiplicity of operationalunits each in fluidic communication with a different large volumereservoir. In one embodiment, the system comprises a multiplicity ofoperational units, each with a staging reservoir and associatedelectrode, and a control system that applies a charge of the samemagnitude and duration to each of the electrodes.

Instrumentation known in the art can be used for applying voltage,controlling fluid transport, flow rate and direction within the device,detection instrumentation for detecting or sensing the analyte ofinterest, processors, e.g. computers for instruction the controllinginstrumentation, receiving data from the detectors, and for analyzingstoring and interpreting the data, and providing the data andinterpretations in a readily accessible reporting format.

XIII. Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the methods will now be described withreference to FIGS. 4-6.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, an ionically-labeled antibodycarrier molecule is used to confer ionic properties on the analyte. Afirst antibody 1 with an ionic moiety 2 attached, specifically binds tothe analyte 3 in the sample in a large volume reservoir producing anantibody/analyte complex 4. The ionically labeled antibodies andcomplexes are transported electrophoretically to a staging reservoir.The complexes are then transported to an analysis area having asubstrate 5 having capture agents 6 bound. The capture agents 6 aresecond antibodies specific to analyte 3. The capture agent antibodies 6bind to an epitope of analyte 3 different from that of the firstantibody 1, or can specifically bind to the antibody/analyte complex 4,but do not bind to any free first antibodies 1. A detectable label canbe attached directly to any of the molecules (potential sites 7) at anypoint before or after capture of the analyte 3. In other embodiments,the analyte/IM complex bound to a capture agent is detected using alabeled third antibody that binds to a different site on the analyte 3or to the antibody/analyte (4) complex.

The specificity of the assay can be conferred by the specificity offirst antibody 1, the specificity of capture agent 6, or both. Otherembodiments can include an analyte-specific detection label used incombination with a capture agent 6 that binds to the first antibody 1 orto the ionic moiety 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, analyte 3 is associated with acharge by binding to magnetic microparticles 8 in the large volumereservoir. In this embodiment, microparticles 8 are coated with anantibody binding agent 11. These are added to the sample in anappropriate buffer to allow the analytes 3 to bind to the antibodybinding agents 11. If desired, interfering, contaminating and/orunwanted substances are removed after magnetically concentrating themicroparticles 8 to a specific area of the reservoir. Additional stepscan be performed to further reduce unwanted substances. A secondantibody 1 having an ionic moiety 2 attached, is added to theantibody/analyte complex in the large volume reservoir. The secondantibody 1 binds possibly via a different epitope on the analyte 3.Optionally the order of addition of antibody 1 vs. the microparticlescoated with an antibody binding agent 11 can be reversed. After thebound analyte/antibody complex (3/11/1/2) is formed, any excess antibody1, interfering, contaminating and/or unwanted substances are removedafter magnetically concentrating the microparticles 8 to a specific areaof the reservoir. Additional wash steps can be performed to furtherreduce unwanted substances. The bound analyte/antibody complex(3/11/1/2) is then removed from the microparticle 8 using an appropriatecleaving agent. This complex (3/11/1/2) is then electrophoresed toconcentrate the analyte 3 into a staging reservoir. After concentration,the complex is electrophoresed over the capture site 5 of themicrofluidic device. In this embodiment, the capture agents 6 attachedto the capture site 5 specifically bind to the ionic moiety 2 (forexample, if the ionic moiety 2 is a nucleic acid molecule, the captureagent 6 is a complementary nucleic acid molecule). A detectable label 7can be attached to any of the molecules involved, including the analyte3; the antibody binding molecule 11 on the microparticle 8, the secondantibody 1, or the ionic moiety 2. The specificity in this reaction canbe provided at any step, including binding to the binding agent 11 onthe microparticle 8, binding of the second antibody 1 or both. In anembodiment, the capture agent 6 can be a third antibody that binds to adifferent epitope on the analyte 3 or that binds to the antibody/analyte(1/3 or 11/3) complex specifically and does not bind to free antibody (1or 11).

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5, andinvolves attachment of an ionic moiety 2 later in the process and can beused in cases when the ionic moiety 2 may interfere with an earlierbinding or purification step. In this embodiment, an avidin/biotin pair(13/14), or similar specific binding pair, is used to attach the ionicmoiety 2 to the antibody 11 as a tag/binding agent pair. The analyte 3is first immobilized onto magnetic microparticles 8 coated with specificbinding agents 11. In the illustration of FIG. 6, the binding agents areantibodies 11 that specifically bind to the analyte 3, modified with abiotin tag 13. The ionic moiety 2 conjugated to avidin (or binding agentto the tag) is mixed with the microparticles 8 and binds to the antibodybinding agent 11 via the avidin/biotin bond 13/14. At any point in theprocess, the magnetic microparticles 8 can be concentrated to a specificarea in the large volume reservoir by applying a magnetic field to allowwashes, buffer changes, and/or removal of the analyte 3 from themicroparticles.

Prior to electrophoresis to concentrate the analyte 3 into the stagingreservoir, the antibody binding agents 11 are cleaved from themicroparticles 8, for example by addition of a specific protease. Theanalyte 3/antibody 11 complex and any other charged molecules in thesample are then concentrated into the staging reservoir usingelectrophoresis. After concentration, the complex is moved over acapture site 5. The analyte 3 is captured by specific capture agents 6on the capture site 5. In this embodiment, the capture site 4 is coatedwith antibody capture agents 6 that specifically bind to the analyte 3at a different epitope from that recognized by the first antibody 11. Adetection label 7 can be bound to any of the components, including theantibody binding agent 11, the analyte 3, or the ionic moiety 2.

Table 3 provides examples, for illustration and not limitation, ofcombinations of analytes, ionic moieties, carrier molecules, and captureagents that may be used in the methods of the invention.

TABLE 3 Examples of analyte/ionic moiety/carrier molecule/capture agentcombinations Analyte Ionic moiety carrier molecule binding agent captureagent polypeptide nucleic acid antibody antibody antibody See NucleicAcid. nucleic acid (analyte) none or nucleic comp. nucleic comp. nucleicembodiment acid acid acid antibody poly-lysine none or second antigenantigen antibody carbohydrate nucleic acid antibody lectin antibody

EXAMPLES

This is a generic description for a biochip used for infectious diseasedetection. The chip contains electrodes, sample wells, specificdetection areas, channels and valves. Multiple samples can be loaded anddriven through the detection areas for identification and quantificationusing electrophoresis. The different samples can be loaded concurrentlyor sequentially and loading can be controlled with microfluidic valves.The common reagents used in detection can be introduced through thechannels in the device.

Example 1 HIV/HBV/HCV Test

FIG. 3 illustrates a microfluidic device 600 for detecting the presenceof HIV, HBV, and/or HCV antigens (protein analytes) in a sample. Themicrofluidic device has electrodes 500 and 800 for use, along with LVRelectrode 400, in electrophoresis. A biological sample suspected ofcontaining HIV, HBV or HCV is introduced into the large volume reservoir(not shown) and mixed with antibodies specific to HIV, HCV, and HBVprotein analytes. The antibodies have an ionic moiety attached.Antibody/analyte complexes are allowed to form and, the complexes areelectrophoresed over the capture sites (700 a, 700 b and 700 c) in theAnalysis area 700 (optionally after concentration in staging reservoir300). Reagents and unbound molecules flow into eluent chamber 1000, andmay be removed. The HIV capture site 700 a has antibody capture agentsspecific to an HIV protein analyte. The HBV capture site 700 b hasantibody capture agents specific to an HBV protein analyte and the HCVcapture site 700 c has antibody capture agents specific to an HCVprotein analyte. The presence of HIV, HBV, and/or HCV can be identifiedby a signal from a detectable label at the specific capture site (700 a,700 b or 700 c) for that viral analyte. FIG. 3 illustrates embodimentsin which analyte is transported electrophoretically from the largevolume reservoir to the analysis area via a staging reservoir (top) orwithout a staging area (bottom).

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a chip that illustrates anembodiment of the assay with reference to a blood test for infectiousviruses such as HIV, HBV and HCV. The current limit of sensitivity forFDA approved clinical tests for HIV is about 50 viral copies per ml forRoche's UltraSensitive AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR® Test, v1.5 using PCRtechnology or Bayer's Versant HIV 3.0 using b-DNA technology. This meansthat for a typical sample, the full 1 ml sample is needed to provideenough viral RNA for detection. It is impractical to load the entire 1ml of sample solution into or onto the chip. Even using preparatorysteps to concentrate the sample, such as centrifugation, ethanolprecipitation, or capturing the target RNA with microparticles followedwith elution, the ending sample volume will be in the range of tens orhundreds of microliters (μls). Since the testing areas in microfluidicchips usually range from a few to several hundred microns, the volumethat can be handled even by a large chip will be in the range of a fewnanoliters (nls). A significant time would be needed to move an entireprepared sample solution into the chip through the detection area and toallow sufficient time for the analytes to contact the detection agentsin a specific analysis area to bind. This then results in anunacceptably high turnaround time to yield test data. For this reason,current practice using chip-for-detection typically uses the products ofPCR reactions which has high concentrations of analytes for applicationto a chip.

However, using the methods and apparatus disclosed herein,electrophoresis can transport the viral RNA or DNA from a large sampleinto the analysis area of a chip with the option of passing through astaging reservoir resulting in concentration of the sample to a levelthat can be used for detection on the chip. FIG. 7 shows a diagram of anexemplary assay format for detection of viral nucleic acids or proteinsin a blood sample. FIG. 7 depicts a chip 600 that allows the transportof analytes in multiple samples (located in staging reservoirs 300) byelectrophoresis with electric field applied in the direction of thearrows between the electrodes (400, 800) over multiple detection sites700 in the analysis areas. The detection sites 700 are labeled as “HW,”“HBV,” and “HCV” to indicate the presense of capture agents specific forproteins or nucleic acids from these viruses, or to binding moieties,etc. specifically associated with one of the viruses. In this example,four samples are being tested simultaneously. In an alternativeembodiment analyte is transported from the staging reservoir other thanelectrophoretically (e.g., using peristaltic pumps).

Example 2 HIV/HBV/HCV Test for Viral Nucleic Acid Analytes

To detect viral nucleic acid analytes in patient samples, ionic ornonionic detergent is added to the patient sample to disrupt the viralcoating and expose the nucleic acids in the large volume reservoir. Ifnonionic detergent is used and the samples have a low ion content,electrophoresis can be used to drive the viral nucleic acids directlyinto the analysis area 700. Alternatively, the viral nucleic acids aredriven by electrophoresis to the staging reservoir 300 first.Subsequently, these viral nucleic acids are delivered from the stagingreservoir to the analysis area 700 by electrophoresis or other meanssuch as micropumps.

If ionic detergents are used, further sample preparation is used asfollows. Magnetic microparticles conjugated with complementary nucleicacids or analogs (binding agents) are added to the sample containing theviral RNA or DNA analyte. The viral RNA or DNA binds to the bindingagents on the microparticles. After wash steps to remove excessdetergents, the viral nucleic acids are dissociated from themicroparticles using a denaturing agent such as urea or heat. Then theviral nucleic acids are delivered to the analysis area 700 orconcentrated into the staging reservoir 300 using electrophoresis.

After concentration into the staging reservoir 300, electrophoresis isthen used to pass the nucleic acid analytes over specific capture sites(700 a, 700 b and 700 c) on the microfluidic device 600 at a specificlocation. The capture agents are nucleic acids or their analogs withsequences complementary to the specific viral nucleic acid analytes.Nucleic acid analytes bind at the specific detection area for the virusand are detected by applying labels made of nucleic acids or theiranalogues with sequences complementary to a section of viral sequencesother than that used for capturing. The nucleic acid detection agentsare conjugated with detectable entities such as fluorescent dyes orenzymes, which can be detected by fluorescence or chemiluminescentsubstrates. A sample is identified as containing the specific virus whena label is detected in the specific area of the microfluidic device (700a, 700 b or 700 c).

Example 3 HIV/HBV/HCV Test for Antibody Analytes

An example to detect antibodies against HIV, HBV or HCV viral antigensin the patient samples is performed as follows:

A specific viral antigen as binding agent for each antibody isconjugated to magnetic microparticles via a cleavable bond such as adouble stranded DNA with a restriction site Alternatively, anti-human Fcantibodies modified with ionic moieties can be used. The microparticlesare mixed with blood samples from human patients in a large volumereservoir to capture any antibodies for specific viral antigens. Afterwash steps to reduce unwanted impurities, the complex is freed from themicroparticles by cleaving with a restriction enzyme. The complex isthen driven by electrophoresis into a staging reservoir. Afterconcentration into the staging reservoir, the complex is driven toanalysis sites (700 a, 700 b, 700 c). As an example, to detect thecomplexes, capture agents with specific affinity to one of the entitiesin the complex are conjugated on the chip surface at each specific site(700 a, 700 b, and 700 c) to recapture the complexes and, thus, toidentify the presence of antibodies against specific viral antigens inthe sample. For instance, if viral antigens are used as the bindingagent on magnetic beads in the sample preparation step, the captureagent can be a specific anti human antibody. Conversely, if the specificanti-human antibody is used first as binding agent, viral antigen can beused to recapture the complex of the patient antibody and the anti-humanantibody. The recaptured complexes are detected by labeling agents thathave affinity to the complex. Agents with affinities to the complex canbe a different antibodies against the human antibodies or the viralantigen whichever is appropriate. They can be labeled with fluorescentdyes or enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase.Alternatively, the first binding agent can be modified to carry bothionic moieties and tags or specific complementary sequences fordetection. For instance, oligonucleotide ionic moieties can beconjugated to the first binding agent to provide ionic charges and asequence for binding by a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to it.Alternatively, the first binding agent can be biotinylated or taggedwith entities such as poly-histidine and detected by avidin or anti-polyhistidine antibody conjugated with labels.

Example 4 HIV/HBV/HCV Test for Mixed Analytes

The methods can be used to detect mixed analytes from various sources,for example proteins from one source and nucleic acids from a differentsource. This test detects a nucleic acid coding for HIV tat, an HBVcapsid protein, and an antibody against a specific HCV antigen on thesame microfluidic device or even in the same patient sample. The captureagents provided at the capture site include a nucleic acid complementaryto the HIV nucleic acid in one capture site 700 a, an antibody thatspecifically binds the HBV capsid protein in a second capture site 700b, and a HCV antigen as capture agent that specifically binds anantibody against this antigen in a third capture site 700 c.Alternatively, the methods can be used to detect multiple analytes fromthe same source (e.g., pathogen-specific antigen, pathogen specific DNAand pathogen specific antibodies) from a patient sample.

Although the present invention has been described in detail withreference to specific embodiments, those of skill in the art willrecognize that modifications and improvements are within the scope andspirit of the invention, as set forth in the claims which follow. Allpublications and patent documents (patents, published patentapplications, and unpublished patent applications) cited herein areincorporated herein by reference as if each such publication or documentwas specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated byreference. Citation of publications and patent documents is not intendedas an admission that any such document is pertinent prior art, nor doesit constitute any admission as to the contents or date of publication ofthe same. The invention having now been described by way of writtendescription and example, those of skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be practiced in a variety of embodiments and that theforegoing description and examples are for purposes of illustration andnot limitation of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for introducing an analyte of interestin a sample to a microfluidic device, comprising: providing an aqueoussample in a large volume reservoir comprising a first microelectrodeoperably attached thereto, said sample containing the analyte and havinga volume of greater than or equal to 1 microliter, wherein the analyteof interest is charged or has been associated with a charged molecule;electrophoresing the analyte via a connector from the large volumereservoir to a staging reservoir positioned in a microfluidic device,wherein the connector fluidically connects the large volume reservoirand the staging reservoir, and wherein the microfluidic device comprisesan analysis area, a second microelectrode located in the stagingreservoir and a third microelectrode located in or distal to at least aportion of the analysis area, said microelectrodes being configured suchthat an electric field may be generated between the electrodes and acharged analyte electrophoresed from the first microelectrode to thesecond microelectrode and from the second microelectrode to the thirdmicroelectrode; and transporting the analyte to the analysis area for atime sufficient to result in a higher concentration of analyte in theanalysis area than in the sample.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theaqueous sample in the large volume reservoir has a volume which is about100 to about 1000 times greater than the volume of the stagingreservoir.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said sample has a volume offrom 1 microliter to 100 milliners.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinsaid sample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 20 mililiters.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the aqueous sample in the large volumereservoir has a volume which is about 5 to about 1000 times greater thanthe volume of the staging reservoir.
 6. A method for introducing ananalyte of interest to a microfluidic device, comprising: introducing asolid phase hound analyte into a large volume reservoir to provide asample, said sample having a volume of greater than or equal to 1microliter, wherein the analyte is charged or has been associated with acharged molecule; exposing the solid phase-bound analyte to conditionssufficient to free the analyte from the solid phase; electrophoresingthe analyte from the large volume reservoir to a microfluidic device viaa connector, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an analysis area,and the large volume reservoir and the microfluidic device arefluidically connected via the connector; and transporting the analyte tothe analysis area for a time sufficient to result in a higherconcentration of analyte in the analysis area than in the sample,wherein the analyte is continuously flowed from the large volumereservoir to the analysis area during said time.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein said sample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 100mililiters.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said sample has volume offrom 1 microliter to 20 mililiters.
 9. The method of claim 6, whereinthe solid phase is a microparticle.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinsaid microparticle is a magnetic microparticle.
 11. A method forintroducing an analyte of interest in a sample to a microfluidic device,comprising: providing an aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir,said sample containing the analyte and having a volume of greater thanor equal to 1 microliter, wherein the analyte is charged or has beenassociated with a charged molecule; electrophoresing the analyte fromthe large volume reservoir to a microfluidic device via a connector,wherein the microfluidic device comprises an analyis area, and the largevolume reservoir and the microfluidic device are fluidically connectedvia the connector; and continuously flowing the analyte to the analysisarea for a time sufficient to result in a higher concentration of theanalyte in the analysis area than in the sample, wherein the largevolume reservoir is a chamber that is not integral with saidmicrofluidic device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said sample hasa volume of from 1 microliter to 100 milliliters.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said sample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 20milliners.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing atleast one other aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir fluidicallyconnected to the microfluidic device, the microfluidic device furthercomprising at least one other analysis area for said one other sample.15. The method of claim 11, wherein said connector is a capillary tube.16. A method for introducing an analyte of interest in a sample to amicrofluidic device, comprising: providing an aqueous sample in a largevolume reservoir, said sample containing the analyte and having a volumeof greater than or equal to 1 microliter, wherein the analyte is chargedor has been associated with a charged molecule; electrophoresing theanalyte from the large volume reservoir to a microfluidic device via aconnector, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an analyis area,and the large volume reservoir and the microfluidic device arefluidically connected via the connector; and continuously flowing theanalyte to the analysis area for a time sufficient to result in a higherconcentration of the analyte in the analysis area than in the sample,wherein said large volume reservoir is a well of a microwell plate, aneppendorf tube, or a test tube.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein saidsample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 100 mililiters.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein said sample has a volume of from 1microliter to 20 mililiters.
 19. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising providing at least one other aqueous sample in a large volumereservoir fluidically connected to the microfluidic device, themicrofluidic device further comprising at least one other analysis areafor said one other sample.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein saidconnector is a capillary tube.
 21. A method for introducing an analyteof interest in a sample to a microfluidic device, comprising: providingan aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir, said sample containingthe analyte and having a volume of greater than or equal to 1microliter, wherein said analyte is covalently bound to an ionic moietyor is associated with a charged molecule by being bound to a carriermolecule that is ionically charged or is modified to be ionicallycharged; electrophoresing the analyte from the large volume reservoir toa microfluidic device via a connector, wherein the microfluidic devicecomprises an analyis area, and the large volume reservoir and themicrofluidic device are fluidically connected via the connector; andcontinuously flowing the analyte to the analysis area for a timesufficient to result in a higher concentration of the analyte in theanalysis area than in the sample.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe carrier molecule is selected from the group consisting of anantibody, a receptor, a ligand, and an antigen.
 23. The method of claim21, wherein said sample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 100mililiters.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said sample has a volumeof from 1 microliter to 20 mililiters.
 25. The method of claim 21,further comprising providing at least one other aqueous sample in alarge volume reservoir fluidically connected to the microfluidic device,the microfluidic device further comprising at least one other analysisarea for said one other sample.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein saidconnector is a capillary tube.
 27. A method for introducing an analyteof interest in a sample to a microfluidic device, comprising: providingan aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir, said sample containingthe analyte and having a volume of greater than or equal to 1microliter, wherein the analyte is charged or has been associated with acharged molecule; electrophoresing the analyte from the large volumereservoir to a microfluidic device via a connector, wherein themicrofluidic device comprises an analyis area, and the large volumereservoir and the microfluidic device are fluidically connected via theconnector; and continuously flowing the analyte to the analysis area fora time sufficient to result in a higher concentration of the analyte inthe analysis area than in the sample, wherein the analysis areacomprises a capture site comprising a capture agent, and said methodfurther comprises transporting the analyte across the capture site underconditions where the analyte is captured by the capture agent.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, wherein said transporting across the capture site isby electrophoresis.
 29. The method of claim 27, further comprisingdetecting the analyte hound by the capture agent.
 30. The method ofclaim 27, wherein said sample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 100mililiters.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein said sample has a volumeof from 1 microliter to 20 mililiters.
 32. The method of claim 27,further comprising providing at least one other aqueous sample in alarge volume reservoir fluidically connected to the microfluidic device,the microfluidic device further comprising at least one other analysisarea for said one other sample.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein saidconnector is a capillary tube.
 34. A method for introducing an analyteof interest in a sample to a microfluidic device, comprising: providingan aqueous sample in a large volume reservoir, said sample containingthe analyte and having a volume of greater than or equal to 1microliter, wherein the analyte is charged or has been associated with acharged molecule; electrophoresing the analyte from the large volumereservoir to a microfluidic device via a connector, wherein themicrofluidic device comprises an analyis area, and the large volumereservoir and the microfluidic device are fluidically connected via theconnector; and continuously flowing the analyte to the analysis area fora time sufficient to result in a higher concentration of the analyte inthe analysis area than in the sample, wherein the method furthercomprises immobilizing said analyte of interest on a microparticlebefore electrophoresis.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein saidmicroparticle is a magnetic microparticle.
 36. The method of claim 34,wherein said microparticle is coated with at least one receptor,antibody, or anti-ligand that specifically binds said analyte ofinterest or a group of molecules including said, analyte of interest.37. The method of claim 36, wherein the method further comprisesdetecting a label on a second antibody bound to said analyte of interestor said group of molecules including said analyte of interest.
 38. Themethod of claim 34, further comprising the step of removing the analytefrom the microparticle prior to electrophoresis.
 39. The method of claim34, wherein said sample has a volume of from 1 microliter to 100mililiters.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein said sample has a volumeof from 1 microliter to 20 mililiters.
 41. The method of claim 34,further comprising providing at least one other aqueous sample in alarge volume reservoir fluidically connected to the microfluidic device,the microfluidic device further comprising at least one other analysisarea for said one other sample.
 42. The method of claim 34, wherein saidconnector is a capillary tube.